Pubdate: Wed, 27 Jun 2007
Source: Sunstar Dumaguete (Philippines)
Contact:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/dumaguete/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2984
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

YC CHAIRMAN SAYS HE DIDN'T KNOW MARIJUANA IS ILLEGAL

Ignorance of the law, feigned or not, landed Youth  Council chairman 
Ringi dela Cerna of Dalaupon Tayasan  in jail after he was caught 
growing marijuana in his  land. Dela Cerna told police that all he 
knows is that  marijuana is a medicinal plant for stomachache.

The Negros Oriental police arrested dela Cerna last  Saturday after 
three suspects identified him as the one  behind the illegal 
plantation of marijuana in the area.

Suspects Roline Espraguera, Romnick Callao and Ronualdo  Gador were 
nabbed also last Saturday after they were  caught planting marijuana 
in dela Cerna's land.

The police are now looking into the identity of a  certain "Nilo" who 
is allegedly supplying the marijuana  seeds in Tayasan.

At least 47 seedlings were uprooted during the joint  operation of 
the PNP Provincial Command, Ayungon  police, 705th Mobile Group and 
the 61st IB of the  Philippine Army in Tayasan.

PNP Provincial Director Melvin Buenafe said they have  been 
monitoring the areas of Tayasan and Guihulngan  after receiving 
reports of marijuana plantations in the  vicinity.

According to the reports, Senior Superintendent Buenafe  said in 
early April some residents of Dalaupon  harvested 300 full-grown 
marijuana plants and delivered  these to different areas in the province.

Buenafe said these marijuana plants are usually in  secluded areas 
and found under scrubs or mixed with  other crops.

However, he said some farmers are growing bolder and  selling the 
illegal plant during agri-trade fairs every  weekend in Barangay 
Nabilog in Tayasan town.(MOA)
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom